Victory Park Capital (VPC) has promoted two investment professionals in its Chicago office with the promotions to Principal of Derek Ferguson and Chad Peterson.
“The expansion of our leadership team reflects our initiative to build a strong foundation and more structured platform,” said Richard Levy, co-founder and managing partner of VPC. “These individuals’ contributions to the team are invaluable and their new roles will impact the development of our firm significantly as we continue to position for growth.”
As a Principal, Mr. Ferguson will develop and maintain value creation initiatives and strategic alternatives for VPC’s investments. He will also manage the sourcing, analysis and execution of direct private debt and equity investments in the industrials, energy and natural resources and healthcare sectors for VPC. He will continue to serve as a member of the Board of Directors of VPC’s portfolio companies Enteris Biopharma and Surefire Industries.
Mr. Ferguson joined VPC in 2012. Previously, he was a Vice President with Maxim Partners, a private equity firm that concentrates on entrepreneurial companies in the lower middle market. He also held positions at private equity firms Wynnchurch Capital and Thoma Cressey Equity Partners, and in the M&A Investment Banking division of J.P. Morgan Securities. Mr. Ferguson received a BS from the University of Illinois and an MBA from Northwestern University.
As a Principal, Mr. Peterson will develop and maintain value creation initiatives and strategic alternatives for VPC’s investments. He will also oversee the sourcing, analysis, execution and management of direct private debt and equity investments in the consumer, restaurant, gaming, lodging and leisure sectors for VPC. He will continue to serve as a member the Board of Directors of VPC’s portfolio company VPC Pizza Operating Corp. (DBA Giordano’s).
Mr. Peterson joined VPC in 2011. Previously, he worked at Qorval, a turnaround advisory and interim-management firm focusing on financial and operational improvements for middle-market companies. He also worked in the Special Situations Group at American Capital and held various financial advisory positions at Bridge Associates and Deloitte Consulting. Mr. Peterson received a BS from Miami University of Ohio and an MBA from Northwestern University.
Victory Park Capital invests from $10 million to $50 million per transaction in small cap public companies and middle market private companies that typically generate less than $150 million in revenue and less than $30 million of EBITDA. The firm focuses on complex situations and seeks to build long term sustainable value in its companies. Victory Park was founded in 2007 and is based in Chicago with additional offices in Boston, New York and San Francisco (www.victoryparkcapital.com).
© 2014 PEPD • Private Equity’s Leading News Magazine • 5-15-14
